6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A gang of pirates rape the two sole survivors of a shipwreck. The violated girls are rescued by the strange inhabitants of a supposedly haunted island, where they are granted supernatural powers to strike revenge against the pirates.
Starring: Joëlle Coeur, John Rico, Willy Braque, Paul Bisciglia, Louise DhourHorror | 100% |
Foreign | 65% |
Erotic | 32% |
Surreal | 9% |
Supernatural | 5% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
English: LPCM Mono
English, English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Jean Rollin's "The Demoniacs" (1974) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the release inlcude new audio commentary by novelist and critic Tim Lucas; new program with author and critic Stephen Thrower; archival program with actor Jean-Pierre Bouyxou; archival program with actor Willy Braque; vintage promotional material; and more. In French or English, with optional English and English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Demoniacs arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.
The release introduces a new 4K makeover of The Demoniacs that is also available on 4K Blu-ray. You can see our listing and review of the 4K Blu-ray release here.
I viewed the 4K makeover in native 4K. However, I spent time with the 1080p presentation of it on this Blu-ray release as well. I think that the 4K makeover is a tremendous upgrade in quality that looks equally impressive in native 4K and 1080p. It produces such big improvements in key areas, including color reproduction, that now it is possible to experience The Demoniacs in an entirely new way. I have the original release of The Demoniacs that the Redemption label prepared in 2012 and all I had to do is sample a few scenes to conclude that it is inferior in every possible way. Some of the darker footage, for instance, does not even have the same information that is present on the 4K makeover, which is rather incredible. The entire film looks immaculate now, too. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).
There are two standard audio tracks on this release: French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 and English LPCM 1.0. Theatrical Version can be viewed with French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track. Export Cut can be viewed with French DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track. Curse of the Living Dead can be viewed with English LPCM 1.0 track. Optional English subtitles are provided for the French tracks. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the English track.
I viewed the Export Cut in native 4K. The audio is clear, clean, and stable. Balance is good, but some minor fluctuations can be noticed. Also, dynamic intensity, even during the action footage, is rather weak, but this is an inherited quality. The music does not produce any interesting dynamic contrasts either. The English translation is excellent.
In an archival program, actor Paul Bisciglia recalls how a good friend described Jean Rollin before he had done any work with him. "Rollin sometimes really turns out bullshit, but there is always a fantastic shot. He always has at least one brilliant shot in each film." This description sums up The Demoniacs pretty well, too, I think. It is a film that has several sections with brilliant visuals, but it is a strange mess. And no, the strange is not of the kind that makes many of Rollin's films memorable mind-benders. I do not fully understand it. I think it is either an incomplete film or a hybrid project that combines material that was supposed to be used in two, possibly even three films. Indicator/Powerhouse Films' Blu-ray release introduces a stunning 4K makeover of The Demoniacs that is available on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray, so Rollin completists should consider picking up one of these releases for their libraries.
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Les démoniaques
1974
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